Polyethylene Glycol 4000
Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 28, 2020.
What is it?
Polyethylene glycol, referred to as PEG, is used as an inactive ingredient in the pharmaceutical industry as a solvent, plasticizer, surfactant, ointments, and suppository base, and tablet and capsule lubricant. PEG has low toxicity with systemic absorption less than 0.5%.
PEGylation occurs when PEGs are attached to various protein medications, allowing for greater solubility for certain drugs. Examples of PEGylated medications include PEG-interferon alpha (Pegintron) and PEG-filgrastim (Neulasta). PEG is also available as a bowel prep for colonoscopy procedures and as a laxative.[1]
PEG 400 indicates the average molecular weight of the specific PEG at 400.[2] PEG 3350 is a laxative available over-the-counter by the name of Miralax. In this case, PEG is considered an active ingredient, even though systemic absorption is less than 0.5%.
Top Medications with this excipient
- Amlodipine Besylate and Olmesartan Medoxomil 5 mg / 40 mg
- Amlodipine Besylate, Hydrochlorothiazide and Valsartan 10 mg / 12.5 mg / 160 mg
- Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium 500 mg / 125 mg
- Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium 875 mg / 125 mg
- Azithromycin Monohydrate 250 mg
- Azithromycin Monohydrate 500 mg
- Divalproex Sodium Delayed-Release 125 mg
- Donepezil Hydrochloride 23 mg
- Ethambutol Hydrochloride 100 mg
- Hydrochlorothiazide and Valsartan 12.5 mg / 80 mg
- Morphine Sulfate Extended-Release 80 mg
- PNV Tabs 29-1 Prenatal Multivitamins with Folic Acid 1 mg
- Quetiapine Fumarate 50 mg
- Quetiapine Fumarate 25 mg
- Quetiapine Fumarate 100 mg
- Rosuvastatin Calcium 5 mg
- Sildenafil Citrate 20 mg (base)
- Tadalafil 20 mg
- Tramadol Hydrochloride 50 mg
- Virt-Phos 250 Neutral sodium phosphate (dibasic) 852 mg, potassium phosphate (monobasic) 155 mg and sodium phosphate (monobasic) 130 mg
References
[1] Dave RH. Overview of pharmaceutical excipients used in tablets and capsules. Drug Topics (online). Advanstar. 10/24/2008 http://drugtopics.modernmedicine.com/drugtopics/Top+News/Overview-of-pharmaceutical-excipients-used-in-tabl/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/561047. Accessed 08/19/2011
[2] ThermoScientific. PEG (Polyethylene Glycol) Reagents http://www.piercenet.com/products/browse.cfm?fldID=12D97D8D-5056-8A76-4E95-9EA0D0B54BDB Accessed 08/19/2011
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.